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Canberra Tracks

See history come alive

Download the Canberra Tracks App

The Canberra Tracks App uses augmented reality technology (AR) to bring the Canberra Tracks self-drive heritage trails alive. Look for the notices on Canberra Tracks signs to see if they are AR compatible. The AR materials are the work of students from the University of Canberra (UC) in partnership with the ACT Government, UC Inspire and APositive AR design agency.

See it in action

Download the app

Video downloads are the work of undergraduates from the Education, Science, Technology and Mathematics Faculty (ESTeM) at UC. The ACT Government does not endorse the views expressed in the videos and some content reflects the views of the late 19th century. See disclaimer for more information.

An Introduction to Canberra Tracks

Filmmaker Richard Snashall has produced eight unique film introductions to the Canberra Tracks network. Available on each tracks web page.

Welcome to Ngunnawal Country

For thousands of years before European settlement, the Ngunnawal people lived in the Canberra region and often met with other language groups, such as the Ngarigo, Wiradjuri, Wolgalu and Yuin, to participate in special ceremony, trade and to feast on bogong moths which migrated through the area.… read more

The Limestone Plains: our pastoral heritage

This landscape attracted European settlers in the same way it had attracted many Aboriginal clans for thousands of years. The Molonglo and Murrumbidgee rivers provided water and rich grasslands, essential for the colony’s expanding sheep and cattle herds. In 1820 the first explorers headed down. Future reports of fertile grazing lands made the newspapers in England.… read more

Looking at Canberra: development of a national capital

If time is short on this visit to Canberra, this Track 3, is the ‘must do’. Head to the hilltops as they reveal the national capital below and beyond. Often taken for granted by locals, the capital is lauded globally as a remarkable example of a planned city.… read more

The ACT Pioneers Cemetery Track: voices from the grave

In contrast to lookouts, this trail reveals the intimate yet complementary view of this Territory’s development. Visit a range of burial sites including one with a tangible link to Rookwood Cemetery in Sydney. See how our attitudes to death and burials have changed over the decades.… read more

Gungahlin Heritage Track: more than suburbia

This newer town centre in Canberra’s north stretches from the highway to Yass up to the NSW border and covers sites of Aboriginal cultural significance. Amongst the suburbs are also reminders of our pastoral era and remaining natural gems with some of the last remaining expanses of Yellow and Red box woodlands… read more

Belconnen Heritage Track: the wild west tamed

From the mid 1970s this town centre grew rapidly to cater for an increasing population moving to Canberra. Many older buildings from earlier farms were demolished, but there are other delights uncovering intriguing stories.… read more

Woden Heritage Track

You may have to delve deeper to find traces of our history in the Woden Weston Creek area. Enjoy a walk through Callum Brae Nature Reserve to observe birds and a working farm, in contrast to seeing Callam Offices – a late 20th century Structuralist Style of architecture.… read more

Tuggeranong Heritage Track

If a line was drawn east to west across the ACT at the halfway point, Tuggeranong would still be on the northern side. Such is the size of the ACT’s national park. There is much to discover here about Aboriginal and more recent history.… read more

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Canberra Tracks

Canberra Tracks is a network of heritage signage that incorporates eight self-drive routes leading to many of Canberra's historic sites. Each sign tells exciting stories from a time gone by and the present day. Canberra Tracks immerses you in the rich tapestry of Canberra’s early beginnings as you connect with the lives of early inhabitants.

Canberra is a meeting place where, over time, peoples' connections with the land have left distinctive marks. Some of these marks have become national icons immediately identifying Canberra as the nation's capital. Others are more subtle reminders of an age before parliament came to the Limestone Plains of New South Wales. Beside these stand the marks of the Ngunnawal people, whose living culture connects the land with its Aboriginal origin.

Pick up the latest brochure from the Canberra and Region Visitors Centre at Regatta Point.